Vincent Community Board (VCB) deputy chairman Russell Garbutt announced he was resigning from his role on the board, the tipping point a code of conduct complaint he laid against Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan on April 28.
The complaint centred around an email Mr Cadogan sent to an RNZ presenter regarding Mr Garbutt’s response to an opinion piece published in the Otago Daily Times about the use of Te Reo on air.
The email "outed'' Mr Garbutt as a community board deputy chairman and stated the view expressed was not reflective of the Central Otago District Council.
In a statement released to various media, Mr Garbutt said the mayor’s conduct was "designed to intimidate .. to the point of bullying'' and "constrict freedom of speech in a subject unrelated to the council or community board.''
He also said the nature of the complaint was also shared with the chairman of the Vincent Community Board Martin McPherson and at least one council staff member by council chief executive Sanchia Jacobs.
Wellington-based lawyer Steph Dyhrberg has been engaged to assess Mr Garbutt’s complaint, Mr Cadogan’s conduct and response to the complaint, and to prepare a report.
The report is not expected to be prepared before June 10.
- by Shannon Thomson
